Light display device



March l2, 1940. A. c. wALAlTY 2,193,577

l LIGHT DISPLAY DEVI-[ICE Filed Aug. 19, 1959 vzsheets-sheetl ATTORNEY v March l2, 1940. A. c. WALAITY.

LIGHT DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aig. 19, 1959 Ik n 30m!" i ATTORNEY atented as. i2,]1940 sm'rs LIGHT DISPLAY DEVICE Anthony o. walnut, Nnuey, N. J., assignmor thirty-five per cent to'MarInus Abbink, Nutley,

Application Angnst 19, 1939, sonal No. 299,949 9 claims. .-(cl. 4oe2` This invention relates to new and useful improvements in alight display device.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my abandoned application led on July 6, 1939,Y

Serial No. 282,964. A a a .'I'he invention has for an object the construction of a light display device which is characterized by a body having a front panelformed with this invention includes a hollow body Il)l having a a plurality of small window apertures, and a novel arrangement of an endless translucent color slide, and an endless stencil mounted within the body behind said window apertures and moved in a specific fashion.

More specifically the invention relates to arranging the endless stencil with a web portion extending across the window apertures and coming from a roll portion resting upon acertain driving plate in a manner so that one end of said web portion connects with theA outside turn of said roll and the other end of the web portion extends into the center of the roll and connects with the inside turn. In this way the endless stencil may be 'of especially long length and opstruction of a device as mentioned which is simo ple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, referencewill be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and 'to the appended claims in which the'various novel features of the vinvention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this dirclosure-` Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a light display device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown 1 with the cover removed. a Y

(c Fig. 3 is a vertical sectionalview taken l line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line I-I of Fig. 3.

inFig.v

on the Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sec- 5 consi view taken on the une s-s of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of Fig. 5 show-v ing certain parts broken away.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a portion of e@ the endless stencil.

color slide 2| is supported in the corners of the Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 8-,8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

The vlight display device in accordance with front panel II formed with a plurality of smalll Window apertures l2. More specically the side panel II is formed from two layers of material, there being an outer layer IIa and an inner 1ayer IIb. The apertures I2 are formed in these layers. In each aperture lthere is a spherical ball j I3 of glass or other transparent material. The

apertures I2 are so constructed that when the panels IIB and IIb are secured together, the spherical balls I3 will be held in position.

A means is provided for illuminating the interior of the body Ill. This' means includes a bracket I5 mounted within the body I0 and supporting a plurality of lamp sockets I 6. These sockets are provided with lampsI I1. The arrangement is such that the lamps Il may light up the interior of the body I0. For this purpose, the body I0 is provided with a cover I8 to confine the light. This cover I8 is formed with several shielded openings I9 which are each shielded by a box like construction arranged to permit the exit of heat, and preventing thel passage of light.

An endless translucent color slide 2| is movably mounted in the body l0 and has a front web portion 2l* extending across the said dow openings l2. More. specically the po n 2|* is guided in tracks 22 mounted upon the rear side of the panel I I. These tracks are arranged along the top and bottom edges of the web 2li. The

body Ill.- by vertical rollers 23. Each roller 23 is mounted in a supporting bracket 24.

A means is provided for moving the endlesscolor slide 2 I, and this means includes an electric motor 26 mounted upon the base plate 21 secured vided with a driving pulley 2 6a which is connected Aby a belt 28 with a larger pulley 29 mounted on a-rotatively supported shaft. 'I'his shaft is provided with a small pulley 3l engaged by a belt 32 engaging over a largerpunlley 33. This latter pulley 33 is rotatively supported and supports the roll portion 35* on an endless stencil 35. Portionsof this stencil 35 are in intimate contact with the color slide 24, and serve to drive the c olor slide. /f

T he endless stencil 35 has a web-section 35h engaging the tracks 22 immediately behind the web portion 2 I vof the color slide 2 I. The endless stencil 35 comprises a strip of paper or similar material formed with perforations to spell out words or symbols and these perforations are so arranged as to align with certainrof the window apertures I2. The roll portion 35* rests upon gn roi the top of the pulley 33 which forms a supporting plate for the roll portion. 'Ihe roll portion is coaxial with the pulley 33. A

One end of the web section 35'A of the endless stencil is guided over aroller 33 which is driven' by a belt 40 engaging over a pulley 4i mounted eoaxially with the pulley 33. A pressure roller 42 is mounted on a pivotal bracket 43 and presses the endless stencil 35 against the roller 33 under the pressure of a spring 43 acting between the bracket 43 and the base plate 2l. This web portion 35h connects with the outside turn of the roll portion 35. The'other end of the web section 35 extends into the center of the roll-portion 35 and connects with the inside turn.

A cage-45 is stationarily mounted on the plate 21 and encircles the roll portion 35 for maintaining the same in formation. Several guiding l members 46 are mounted within the body i@ and serve to guide various sections of the enolless stencil. A iinger member 4d is mounted upon the top face ofthe pulley or plate 33 and acts within body I0. The stencil 35 and the color slide 2l Vmove in endless fashion.

The arrangement is such that the perforations 33 of the endless stencil are periodically aligned with the window apertures l2 of the front panel Il, transmitting light from the interior of the body I0 through the color slide to the exterior. When one observes the light display device from the exterior there will be the appearance of letters or words or symbols moving along the front of the device as the various openings 38 selectively align with certain of vthe window'apertures i2.

The endless stencil 35 is moved in a novel fashion. The motor 26 drives the pulley 29 which in turn turns the pulley 3l at the same speed. 'I'he pulley 3| is smaller thanthe pulley 39 and hence..

these pulleys act as a speed reducer. The small pulley 3| drives the pulley or plate 33. -So that the invention may be better understoodilet us assume that the p ley 33 is rotating at '75 R. P. M. The small pulley 3l which is connected coaxial with the pulley 33 drives a small pulley of the same size which is mounted upon the bottom of the roller 33 and hence the roller 39 is turning at 75 R. P. M.

The roller 42 is tensioned against the roller 39 -and these two rollers, acting ether work like drawer rollers and pull on the ta e 35. This pulling is communicated along the tap 35 to the left hand end of the web portion 35b nd hence around to the center of the roll 35. For an example, let us assume that the outside of the roll 35* is ve inches in diameter, and the inside is three inches. It will be readilyseen from this example that the inside of the roll must necessarily travel faster then the outside. This phenomenon is balanced by theuse of a finger 43 which in the particular design of, the parts,

travels substantially twice as fast as the roll faster than the roll portion 35l it also helps in winding up the tape upon theoutside ofthe roll portion 351. Incidentally the finger 48 which is traveling around upon the inside turn of the roll portion 35*L frictlonally grips the roll portion with suflicient f orce to also assist in winding the web portion upon the outside -of the roll portion 35a. Becauseofthe roll portion 35, the stencil, while endless, is 4however of an exceptionally long length. p

. While I have illustrated and described the' preferred embodiments of my invention, it isto be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim asnew, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A light display device, comprising a body having a front panel formed with a plurality of small window apertures, means for illuminating the interior of said body, an endless translucent color slide movably` mounted in said body and having a web portion extending across said window apertures, means for moving said slide, a horizontal plate rotatively mounted in said body, means for rotating said plate, an endless stencil having a web portion extending across said first named web portion and having a roll portion resting on said plate coaxially thereof with one end of said last named web section connecting with the outside turn of said roll and the other end ofv said last named web section extending into the center of the roll and connecting with the inside turn, and a. stationary cage for holding said roll portion on said plate.

2. A light display device, comprising a body having a front panel formed with a plurality of small window apertures, means for illuminating the interiorY of saidy body, and endless translucent color slide movably mounted in said body and having a web portion extending across said window apertures, means for movingsaid slide, a horizontal plate rotatively mounted in ,said body, means for rotating said plate, an endless stencil having a .web portion extending across said first named web'portion and having a roll portion resting on said plate coaxially thereofv with one end of said last named web section connecting with the outside turn of said roll andthe other end of said last named web section extending into the lcenter of the roll and connecting withithe inside turn, 'and a stationary cage for smallwindow apertures, means for illuminating the interior ofsaid body, anendless translucent color slide movably mounted in said body and vhaving a web portion 'extending across said win- .dow apertures, means for moving said slide, a

horizontal plate rotatively mounted in said body, u

means for rotating said plate, an endless stencil A.having a web portion extending across said flrst Y end of said last named web section extending into the center of the roll and connecting with the inside turn, and a stationary cage for holding saidroll portion on said plate, said means for illuminating said body, comprising a bracket supporting a plurality of sockets provided with electric lamps.

4. A light display device, comprising a body having a front panel formed with a plurality'of small window apertures, means for illuminating the interior of said body, an endless translucent color slide movably mounted in said body and having a web portion extending across said'window apertures, means for moving said slide, a horizontal plate rotatively mounted in said body, means for rotating said plate, an endless stencil having a web portion extending across said iirst named web portion and having a roll portion resting on said plate coaxially thereof with one end of said last named web section connecting with the outside turn of said 'roll and the other end of said last named web section extending into the center of the roll and connecting with the inside turn, and a stationary cage for holding said roll portion on said plate, said endless color slide being supported over a plurality of rollers in turn supported .in brackets mounted within said body.

5. A light display device, comprising a body( said roll portion on said plate, said means` for rotating said plate including an electric motor connected with a transmission system for driving said plate, said plate comprising the top face of a pulley of said transmission system.

7. A light display device, comprising a body having a front panel formed with a plurality of small window apertures, means for illuminating the interior of said body, an endless translucent color slide movably mounted in said body and having a web portion extending across-said window apertures, meansfor moving said slide, a horizontal plate rotatively mounted in said body,

means for rotating said plate, an endless stencil having a web portion extending across said rst named web portion and having a roll portion resting on said plate coaxially thereof with one end of said last named web section connecting with the outside turn of said roll and the other end of said last named web section extending into the center of the roll and connecting ywith the inside turn, and a stationary cage for holding said roll portion on said plate,'said stencil comprising a strip of material formed with perforations.

8. A light display device, comprising a body having a front panel formed with a plurality of small window apertures, means for illuminating the interior of said body, an endless translucent color slide movably mounted in said body and` having a web portion extending across said winhorizontal plate rotatively mounted in said body, means for rotating said plate, an endless stencil having a web portion extending across said first having a front panel formed with a plurality of named web portion and having a roll portion dow apertures, means for moving said slide, a

horizdntal plate rotatively mounted in said body, means for rotating said plate,an.endless stencil having a web portion extending across said :drst

vnamed web portion and having a roll portion resting on said plate coaxially thereof with one end of said last named web section connecting with the outside turn of said roll and the other end of said `last named web section extending into the center of the roll and connecting with the inside turn, and a stationary cage for holding said roll portion on said plate, said means for rotating said plate including an electric motor connected with a transmission system for driving said plate.

6. A light display device, comprising a body having a front panel formed with a plurality of small window apertures, means for illuminating the interior of said body, an endless translucent, color slide movably mounted in said body andi having a webportion extending across saidwindow apertures, means for moving said slide, a horizontal plate rotatively vmounted in said body, means for rotating said plate, an' endless stencil having a web portion extending across said rst named web portion and having a rollA portion resting on said plate coaxially thereof with one end of said last named web section connecting with the outside turn of said roll and the other end of said last named web section extending into the center ofthe roll andconnecting with the inside turn, anda staidonary cage for holding with the outside turn of said roll and the other end of said last named web section extending into the center of the roll and connecting with the inside turn, and a stationary cage for hold- I ing said roll portion on said plate, and including a wire frame partially surrounding anden gaging the sides. of said roll portion.

9. A light display device, comprising a body having a front panel formed with a plurality of small window apertures, means for illuminating the interior of said body, an endless translucent color slide movably mounted in said body and having a web portion extending across said window apertures, means for moving said slide, a horizontal plate rotatively mounted in said body, means for rotating said plate, an endless stencil having a web portion extending across said ilrst named web portion and having a roll portion resting on said plate coaxially thereof with one end of said last named web section connecting with the outside turn cf said roll and the other Aend of said last named web section extending into the center of the roll' and connecting with the inside turn, a stationary cage `lor holding endless stencil and for-frictionally engaging the ANTHONY e. warms. 

